21 Housing shortages, corruption, love – the themes of Cherry Town (1959) are all too relevant today. Director Jakop Ahlbom will bring this story to life in a sparkling musical spectacle with a vivid cast of singers and dancers. In a big city where rent is high and housing is scarce, the announcement of a new construction project creates quite a stir. Lots of people looking for some- where to live, hope to find their new homes in the brand-new Cherry Trees Estate – or Cherry Town for short. But the pompous property developer ignores the priority permits issued by the local authority. Can honesty and love prevail over corruption and selfishness? Swinging Shostakovich In Shostakovich’s only operetta, we hear the composer’s lighter side. The work is filled with waltzes, polkas and other dance forms, while Shostakovich also parodies more serious musical styles. The swirling score is in good hands with the Netherlands Philharmonic and conductor Bassem Akiki, who previously made strong impressions in Amsterdam with Animal Farm (2023) and We Are The Lucky Ones (2025). Creative forces For this production, Dutch National Opera, Jakop Ahlbom Company and ISH Dance Collective are collaborating artistically for the first time. Director Jakop Ahlbom, who has long been making waves with his theatre performances full of humour and visual poetry, replaces the operetta’s spoken dialogue with mime scenes. He will develop the stunt and dance scenes together with choreographer Marco Gerris (Artistic Director of ISH Dance Collective and winner of the 2025 Johannes Vermeer Prize). An energetic cast – featuring much-loved Dutch singers such as Thomas Oliemans, Frederik Bergman, Nina van Essen, Michael Wilmering and Alexander de Jong – shares the stage with dancers and the Chorus of Dutch National Opera. New production Musical comedy in three acts Libretto: Vladimir Mass and Mikhail Chervinsky, in an English translation by Sir David Pountney Sung in English Musical direction Bassem Akiki Stage direction Jakop Ahlbom Set design Thomas Rupert Costume design Esmée Thomassen Lighting design Marc Heinz Choreography Marco Gerris Dramaturgy Wout van Tongeren Sasha Alexander de Jong Masha Nina van Essen Lidion Ella Taylor Boris Michael Wilmering Fayke Noos Thomas Oliemans Blatherbox Frederik Bergman Netherlands Philharmonic Chorus of Dutch National Opera Chorus master Edward Ananian-Cooper Produced by Dutch National Opera in collaboration with Jakop Ahlbom Company and ISH Dance Collective Performances for schools We offer special performances for primary and secondary school students. See operaballet.nl/en/ school-performances Partner Premiere 8/10/2026 Subsequent performances: 10, 11*, 16, 20 October 2026 | Curtain-up: 20:00 / *14:00 | Ticket sales start on: 7 May 2026 | Prices: see page 125 | Location: Main Stage, Dutch National Opera & Ballet Photo: Petrovsky & Ramone Family production 10+ Cherry Town Dmitri Shostakovich (1906–1975)
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